Loose-leaf binder



NOV. 17 1942. Q BAUGHMAN 2,302,171

LOOSE-LEAF BINDERJ Filed Aug. 4, 1941 FIG.V

HAROLD E. BAUGHMAN INVENTOP B AGENT Patented Nov. 17, 1942 LOOSE-LEAF BINDER Application August 4, 1941, Serial No. 405,340

7 Claims.

This invention relates to an improved looseleaf binder for note-books and the like, and has particular reference to semi-permanent books intended to be kept up to date by the replacement or addition of revised or supplemental subject matter.

The split ring type of loose-leaf note-book, as heretofore used, is usually provided with opening mechanism and an exposed metal shell therefor, some types having the mechanism riveted to the backbone of the cover proper. The circular split rings cause binding and tearing of the outside sheets of the filling material because of the wedging action as the covers are closed. It is accordingly an object of this invention to provide an improved loose-leaf binding arrangement for semi-permanent records, such as catalogs,

service manuals, or the like, wherein replacement 'or supplemental material is'to be added at intervals. By providing continuous fiat section rings in semi-circular or D shape I am enabled to avoid tearing the outside sheets, while reducing the width of the book for a given capacity,

or contrawise increasing the filler capacity of a given size of book.

It is a further object of this invention to provide an improved and simplified loose-leaf binder closely approximating the appearance and arrangement of a permanently bound book, the filling materialhaving open stemmed T slots permitting its ready insertion and removal from continuous rings retained in fixed relationship to the back of the book, so that the book closely resembles a bound book which can be imprinted in the conventional manner.

Itis also an object of this invention to provide an improved and simplified loose-leaf book construction wherein continuous semi-circular securing rings have marginal connecting strips wrapped in a folded cardboard backbone, and if desired further secured to the backbone of the retained in position by the inner lining of the book covers and back and/or by a finishing fabric strip suitably slotted for the securing rings.

scription of the invention proceeds.

In the accompanying drawing Figure I is a perspective view of an opened loose-leaf book showing the construction of this invention, parts ofthe lining material and backbone being broken away to disclose details of the construction; and including a preferred typical sheet of paper for use therewith.

Figure II is a cross-section on the line II-II of Figure I showing details of the continuous securing ring mounting.

Figure III is an exploded cross-section of the mounting ring construction corresponding to the showing of Figure II.

Figure IV is a plan view of the securing rings with their integral marginal strips.

Figure V is an end view of a portion of the structure shown in Figure IV.

As shown on the accompanying drawing, the invention relates to mounting continuous semicircular or D shaped securingrings I0 relative to the covers and back of a book structure; the book covers comprising cardboard boards II, in the case of stiii covers, and a back IZ, an outside cover material l3 being applied thereto in the usual manner to provide hinge lines It. The inside surfaces of the covers may be finished with lining paper l5, and an inside lining fabric l6 applied to the back if desired.

The securing rings 16 have connecting marginal strips H and are conveniently formed as a flat sheet metal stamping subsequently bent to form semi-circular rings with the marginal strips reentrant and abutting to form the stem of a D. The use of flat metal bent to form a continuous ring makes it desirable to use marginal T slots in the filler material, which I have found can be readily inserted or stripped from the rings without damage to the sides of the T slot in the paper. Preferably the paper filler should be peeled off the rings with a movement aligned with the axis thereof, rather than to pull the paper out from the free edge of the book.-

The securing rings ID are bound in a triple layerinner cardboard backbone formed by double folds; It is desirable that a filler piece I8 be cut out for the rings l0 and their marginal strips 11. The central portion lb of the inner backbone is so slotted that it can be forced over the rings and fit together again inside the rings, being glued to the filler piece. One marginal strip 20 of the inner backbone is then folded back and glued to the back of the marginal strips l1 and glued to the back of the first fold n. V

While I have shown a conventional backbone l2 separate from the inner backbone layers I9, 20 and 2|, it is to be understood that the inner backbone can itself form the regular backbone of the book, in which case the backbone I2 would be omitted.

In the case of large and/or heaw books it may be desirable to insert a metal binding strip 24 before gluing the second fold 2|, this binding strip having upstanding, self-perforating ears 23 spaced to engage the outer edges of the marginal connecting strips l1 and being folded or crimped thereover. Such a binding strip is not essential for light or small books, as the triple layer inner backbone, when glued up and glued to the backbone l2 of the book will adequately support and retain the rings, joined as they are by the longitudinal marginal strips 1.

It is convenient a provide a fabric finish and cover strip [6 which may have slotted margins to extend around the rings 10 or may be slotted as at 25 to slip over the rings to be glued in place. Such a cover strip acts as a trim to the central portion of the inside of the covers, and strengthens the hinge lines M.

Figure II is a considerably enlarged cross-section wherein the several layers of the backbone have been shown somewhat idealistic-ally for clearness. Actually the several cardboard layers are glued together and to the metal strips to form a substantially solid lamination, so that the margins will be compressed into contact with a resulting curvature to one surface that can be increased by the omission of the filler strip 18.

It will thus be seen that I have invented an improved and simplified loose-leaf book wherein the back of the book has the appearance of a permanently bound book since no rivets are required maybe resorted to in a manner limited only by a just interpretation of the following claims.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a loose-leaf book the combination with a backbone and covers hinged thereto by the covering and lining material of the covers, of a series of securing rings of semi-circular or D shape integral with marginal strips connecting the same, the marginal strips lying inside the rings in abutting relationship in a plane parallel to the backbone of the book, a secondary backbone comprising at least two layers of material between which said marginal strips are sandwiched and a metal binding strip having a series of spaced unstanding ears extending from the margins thereof, said' binding strip underlying the secondary backbone and having the ears thereon projecting inwardly therethrough, said ears being turned inwardly to embrace and retain the marginal strips of the gral with marginal strips connecting the same,"

the marginal strips lying inside the rings in abutting relationship in a plane parallel to the backbone of the book, a secondary backbone comprising at least two layers of material between which said marginal strips are sandwiched and a metal binding strip having a series of spaced upstanding ears extending from the margins thereof, said binding strip underlying the secondary backbone and having the ears thereon projecting inwardly therethrough, said ears being turned inwardly to embrace and retain the marginal strips of the securing rings, the two backbones and the marginal strips of the securing rings being located beneath the inner lining material of the cover.

3. In a loose-leaf book the combination with a backbone and covers hinged thereto by the covering and lining material of the covers, of a series of securing rings of semi-circular or D shaped integral with marginal strips connecting the same, the marginal strips lying inside the rings in abutting relationship in a plane parallel to the backbone of the book, a secondary backbone comprising at least two layers of material between which said marginal strips are sandwiched, a metal binding strip having a series of spaced upstanding ears extending from the margins thereof, said binding strip underlying the secondary backbone and having the ears thereon projecting inwardly therethrough, said ears being turned inwardly to embrace and retain the marginal strips of the securing rings, and a fabric finish strip slotted to permit projection of the securing rings and secured over the marginal strips thereof and the exposed areas of the inner backbone.

4. In a loose-leaf book, the combination of securing rings integral with continuous reentrant marginal strips, a metal binding strip having upstanding ears turned over the outer margins of said marginal strips, and a backbone strlp wider than the metal binding strip and folded over the marginal strips connecting the rings, with the binding strip between the folds thereof, whereby to retain said binding strip therebetween, the upstanding ears on said binding strip extending through the backbone to engage and retain the marginal strips.

5. In a loose-leaf book, the combination of securing rings integral with continuous reentrant marginal strips, a metal binding strip having upstanding ears turned over the outer margins of said marginal strips, a backbone strip wider than the metal binding strip and folded over the marginal strips connecting the rings, with the binding strip between the folds thereof, whereby to retain said binding strip therebetween, the upstanding ears on said binding strip extending through the backbone to engage and retain the marginal strips, and a fabric finish strip slotted to permit projection of the securing rings and secured over the marginal strips thereof and the exposed areas of the backbone.

6. In a loose-leaf book, the combination with a conventional cover and backbone construction, of a series of spaced securing rings formed from sheet material having connecting marginal strips bent inwardly into parallel juxtaposition to close said rings, an inner backbone slotted to be inserted over said rings into contact with said marginal strips, said inner backbone having foldable margins the fold lines of which fall outside the sides of the rings, a filler strip cut out to embrace the bases of the rings and the marginal strips integral therewith, said filler strip filling within the fold lines of said inner backbone and being glued thereto, the foldable margins of the inner backbone being folded over the filler strip and marginal strips in superimposed relationship and being glued into a solid structure.

7. In a loose-leaf book, the combination with a conventional cover and backbone construction, of a series of spaced securing rings formed from sheet material having connecting marginal strips bent inwardly into parallel juxtaposition to close said rings, an inner backbone slotted to be inserted over said rings into contact with said marginal strips; said inner backbone having foldable margins the fold lines of which fall outside the sides of the rings, a filler strip cut 

